Joey couldn't help but notice that Fred was acting strangely. After the train arrived at Hogsmeade Station, all the first-years, including Cho, followed Hagrid to the boats. Joey and George waited impatiently for Fred, who finally appeared, moving slower than usual.
"Why are you so late? Joey thought you were sick," George said, reaching out to feel Fred's forehead. "You're a bit warm, but not feverish."
"Uh... it was just stuffy in the carriage. I needed some air," Fred mumbled, avoiding eye contact with Joey.
"Did you stick something on me?" Joey demanded, convinced Fred had pulled some prank. When Angelina joined them, Joey asked her to check if anything was amiss.
Angelina inspected Joey thoroughly but found nothing unusual. "You're fine!" she said with a laugh.
As they followed the prefects to the carriages, Joey noticed some students looking fearful, though she couldn't understand why. The carriages seemed to move on their own, and a few second-years even reached out to touch the air around them. Joey was baffled. "What's the big deal? It's just air!"
Fred, however, refused to ride in the same carriage as Joey. He dragged George to one farther back, leaving Joey and Angelina to share a carriage with two other students.
"Look at him! He's acting so guilty. He must've done something to me!" Joey complained to Angelina. "Do you think he messed with the pumpkin cake I ate earlier? Am I going to turn into a frog or something?"
Angelina laughed. "If you do, I'll make sure to find you a prince to kiss you awake!"
Joey grinned and waved at Cedric as he passed by. "Hey, Cedric! There's room here!"
Before Cedric could respond, Fred suddenly darted into the carriage, nearly knocking Joey over. "Uh... looks like it's full now," George said apologetically to Cedric, who shrugged and walked off to join the Ravenclaws.
Joey glared at Fred. "You can't just barge in like that!"
Fred avoided her gaze. "I changed my mind. I want to ride in this carriage."
Joey was furious. "Then switch with George! I don't want to sit with you!"
George shook his head. "Don't drag me into this. I'm staying right here with Angelina."
The ride to Hogwarts was tense, with Joey and Fred refusing to speak to each other. When the carriage began moving, Joey finally broke the silence. "What spell makes these carriages move? Is it magic?"
Fred answered without looking at her. "They're pulled by Thestrals. You can't see them unless you've seen death."
Joey frowned. "Fred, seriously, did you do something to that pumpkin cake? Am I going to turn into a butterfly or something? Just tell me!"
Fred finally turned to her, his face red. "No, you're not turning into a butterfly. But you might grow wings tonight and fly away, making your Nimbus 1700 useless."
Joey gasped. "No! My broom!"
Fred burst out laughing, and even George couldn't hold back his amusement. Joey spent the rest of the ride pestering Fred for an antidote, but he only teased her further.
---
When they arrived at Hogwarts, the Great Hall was abuzz with excitement. Angelina nudged Joey. "Look, there's a handsome guy at the teachers' table!"
Joey's eyes widened as she spotted Sirius Black sitting beside Professor Snape. "What's Sirius doing here?"
Fred and George exchanged glances. "Big Black's teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this year," George explained. "Professor Alfik left to become an Auror."
Joey grinned. "I like him already. He's so charming!"
Angelina sighed dreamily. "His smile is amazing."
Fred and George groaned. "Ugh, girls."
As the Sorting Ceremony began, Joey waved to Cho, who looked nervous. "Don't worry! You just have to wear a talking hat!" she called out, earning a stern look from Professor McGonagall.
Cho was sorted into Ravenclaw, and Joey nodded in satisfaction. "Just as I expected."
Dumbledore welcomed the new students and announced Sirius as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Sirius stood, bowing dramatically, and the hall erupted in cheers, especially from the girls.
Professor Snape, however, looked like he wanted to strangle Sirius. The tension between them was palpable, and Professor McGonagall had to intervene when their bickering escalated.
Meanwhile, the Gryffindor table was a scene of chaos as students dug into the feast. Sirius watched them with a wistful smile. "They've got such energy."
Professor Snape sneered. "Too bad their brains don't grow with their appetites."
Sirius chuckled, though his laughter faded as Snape stood and left the table. For a moment, Sirius felt a pang of nostalgia. The days of youthful rivalries and endless pranks seemed so far away now.
As the feast continued, Joey leaned back in her seat, content. Despite Fred's odd behavior and the drama at the teachers' table, she was happy to be back at Hogwarts. The year was just beginning, and she couldn't wait to see what adventures awaited.